Broom and method of making same



Feb. 18, 1936. A H Y 2,030,954

BROOM AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Original Filed July 14, 1933 WwH- W- (12714 m Gamma/l Patented Feb. 18, 1936 ire srAe ATNT ZF'FICE 681,188. Divided and this application August 20, 1934, Serial No. 740,696

11'Glaims.

My invention relates to improvements in brooms and the like, and also to an improved process for making the same. Itis a division of my copending application filed July 1 1, 1933, 5 Ser. No. 681,188, to be patented No. 1,970,590 on August 21, 1934. h v

Briefly stated, the invention has for its primary object to generally improve the detachable handle fastening structure of the broom or the like, disclosed in the U. S. Patent No. 1,645,490, issued on October 11, 1927, to Charles Malcom Keener and Walter H. Zacnry; and to provide a novel method whereby the handle-receiving socket of the broomhead or the like,and the tially continuous operation.

The invention also resides in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, and in methods and modes of operation,to be hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention in its now preferred form.

.In the drawing, u

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the socket forming device claimed in my Patent No. 1,- 970,590, and illustrating a socket'blank thereon and the commencement of the threading-operation;

Figure 2 shows the completion of the step of forming the threaded socket; I v

Figure 3 shows the completed broomhead, and portion of socket-forming device removed;

Figure 4 shows the novel handle and broomhead assembled, and I Figure 5 is an enlargedfragmentary section of the threaded part of the handle showing a part of the socket threads in dotted lines. Referring to the drawing by reference characters, 16 is a spindle claimed in my Patent No. 1,970,590, and which is adapted to be inserted into and driven by the chuck of a-broom'winding machine which carries a' spool of -wire,--all as shown and describedinmy said patent.

Spindle I6 has the major portion of its tapered forward end l6c provided with raised threads IBa. Spindle I6 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial slots I61) extending inwardly from its tapered end and into the unthreaded portion as indicated in Figures land 2 A rod n extends through a mm or spindle I6 and has an end enlargement I'Ib providing a cam I'Ia, adapted to extend into the spindle bore when the rod is pulled to right (Fig. 2) for broomhead itself may be formed in one substan spreading outwardly the segments of tapered spindle end I6c.

A headed stud l9a (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) carried by a cam plate or latch element I9 (Fig. 3) is adapted to beprojectded transversely beyondthe surface of the spindle I6 when the cam rod I1, I11) is pulled inwardly to spread the segments of end I; and such stud I9a, when so projected, is adapted to receive the loop IZa of the winding wire I2. When rod I1 is pushed outwardly (to left, Fig. 3) the stud I90. disappears in spindle I6. This is all described in full detail in my Patent No. 1,970,590.

In carrying out the process or method of manufacture of a handle-receiving socket in accordance with my invention, I utilize a thin metal blank 30 in which a hole is punched adjacent one corner. Cam Ila, is disposed in operative position and rod Il actuates stud I9a outwardly as explained in my said patent. The blank 30 is preferably drawn by hand about the threaded and tapered portion of spindle I6. When this has been done, the spindle I6 will be rotated. This causes the threads I60. on the spindle I6 to cause the tensioned wire I2 to compress the stock of the soft metal socket blank. 30 between the spindle threads I6a so as toprogressively form threads 3i in socket 30.

When the threading of the socket has been completed, the wire I2 will be given two or three additional turns about the completed socket 30 so as to hold the convolutions of wire I2 in place between socket threads 3!. See I2b in Fig. 2. Preferably such convolutions I2b go over a bent back tongue 30a: of socket 30.

After the threading of socket 3|] has been completed, the inner stiff layer 32 of broom corn will be applied to the socket portion 30 which still remains on the spindle. This broom corn layer 32 is wound onto the lower portion of the socket 30 as indicated at I20. Next theouter or finerlay'er33 of broom corn is app-lied over the coarse broom corn layer 32 to extend over the upper part of the socket 30, whereupon the winding of layer 33 upon the socket takes place as indicated-at I 2d in Figure3. The final phase of the windingoperation is the carrying of the wire I2 upwardly from the turns I2d and winding it as at I 20' about the upper end of the layer of fine broomcorn 33 to provide the crown or head 33a (see Fig. 3) adjacent the upper end of the socket 30. The end of the wire is secured to nail 34 in crown 33a.

Particular attention is directed to the novel automatic formation of the flange 30b. at the upper end of the socket 30. This flange 30! serves to overlie and hold the upper end of the broomhead or crown 33a and is formed by the windings I2e of the wire I 2 upon the stock of socket 313 at the site of the circumferential shoulder 16d, which is provided by the cylindrical rear end of spindle l6 at the junction between the same, and the tapered spindle portion 160 rearwardly of the threads I611. The stock of socket 30 will initially slightly overlie the shoulder I60 of spindle l as indicated in Figures 1 and 2.

The broom handle 40 is diametrically reduced at its lower end portion which provides the helical groove 4| to receive convolutions of heavy wire to provide threads for securing the handle Gil tosocket 30, as indicated at 42, 62b and 42d in Figures 4 and 5. The respective ends of this piece of heavy wire are anchored in the lower handle portion 42a as indicated at 42c and 420, respectively.

Particular note should be taken of the fact that the first three and last three heavy wire convolutions of threads 62b and 42d, respectively, on the handle are set outwardly of the intermediate convolutions 42 so as to assure good binding action at each end of the socket 39. The handle threads 42b are preferably disposed upon a diametrically reduced cylindrical surface above the tapered portion of handle end 40a. The upper threads 52b also, after a fashion, provide a stop or abutment for the socket when the handle is screwed thereinto. In this way there is a wedging action that takes place and makes for a tight fit of handle into the socket. In other words, a fit is thus obtained which will effectively resist inadvertent relative turning of the handle with respect to the socket 30 when the broom or implement is in use. After the broomhead has been wound onto socket 30, rod I1 is moved leftwardly to release cam Ila from lBa and the stud l9a is projected inwardly into the spindle by such outward movement of rod ll or otherwise. Then socket 36 with the broomhead thereon is removed from spindle I6 and handle portion 40a is screwed into socket 30.

Regarding handle 46, particular emphasis is layed upon the wire-provided threads 42a and 42d at the inner and outer ends of the socketreceiving handle portion 40a. Threads 42b are substantially in plane with one another and are disposed outwardly of the plane of the threads 42d which are also raised and substantially in plane with each other. This arrangement, aside from helical groove ll and the fact that 40a may be tapered, gives the intermediate wire-defined threads 42 a taper to cause them to conform to threads 3| in the tapered socket 39. The helical groove ll in 42 can be dispensed with if desired. When the handle thread wire 42, 420., etc., is applied, convolutions 42 will be wound tightly into groove 4! as suggested in full lines in Figure 5. Afterwards, however, these intermediate convolutions 42 (because of their remoteness to anchor points 42a, 42c) tend to spring out as per dotted lines to engage socket threads 3|.

By winding the turns of wire I 2b over the bent back tongue 38.10 of socket 30 the subjacent turns of wire l2 are positively locked in place and the socket 30 cannot screw out of the wire turns or threads I2 when the socket 36 is removed from spindle IE5 or when a handle 40 is removed after having been very tightly screwed into socket 30. The use of this tongue 3% while very desirable is not absolutely essential. Turns l2b are quite effective without tongue 30x.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In a separable head and handle structure for brooms, mops and the like, a lineally split socket of soft flexible metal and tapering to reduced diameter at one end, a length of wire having a portion helically wound about said socket to provide and maintain threads in said socket, work-engaging material disposed about said socket and aforementioned wire portion and secured thereto by windings of the remainder of said wire whereby to provide a head about said socket, a handle having a threaded end adapted to be screwed into said socket, the threads at the ends of said threaded handle portion being relatively raised as compared with adjacent threads whereby to assure of an especially tight fit with the interengaging socket threads so as to firmly connect the handle and socket, said socket thread-providing and head-forming portions of said wire cooperating with one another in tending to maintain said split socket from spreading from internal pressure of the handle.

2. In a separable head and handle structure for brooms, mops and the like, a lineally split socket of soft flexible metal, a length of wire having a portion helically wound directly against and about said socket whereby to prevent it from spreading and providing threads in said socket, and workengaging material disposed about said socket and secured thereto by windings of the remainder of said wire whereby to provide a head about said socket and first-mentioned length of wire.

3. In a separable head and handle structure for brooms, mops and the like, including a head providing a tapered interiorly threaded socket, a socket receivable handle portion diametrically enlarged adjacent its ends as compared to the intermediate portion, the diameter of the enlargement adjacent the socket-entering end being smaller than the diameter of the rear end enlargement, a length of heavy wire wound upon said handle portion to provide threads substantially conforming to and adapted to engage the socket threads, and said handle-thread-providing wire being wound tighter upon said end enlargements than upon the intermediate handle portion whereby the latter will tend to conform to the taper of said socket.

4. The method of making a threaded socketproviding broom head or the like which comprises supporting a split soft metal socket on a spirally grooved support, progressively winding wire upon said socket from one end toward the other to compress the socket stock into said grooves, whereby to produce threads in the socket, then applying broom corn to said socket and Winding the wire progressively about the broom corn in the direction of the first-mentioned end of the socket to provide a snug head about the socket, and then anchoring the wire to the head.

5. The method of making a threaded socketproviding broom head or the like which comprises supporting a split soft metal socket on a spirally grooved support, progressively winding wire upon said socket from one end toward the other to compress the socket stock into said grooves, whereby to produce threads in the socket, turning the wire several times about the socket at the end of the threads so formed therein, then applying broom corn in the direction of the first-mentioned end of the socket to provide a snug head about the socket, and then anchoring the wire to the head.

6. In a broom, a head, a sheet material socket forming the core of said head, a flexible strand providing spirally wound convolutions about said socket to form and maintain threads therein, means carried by said socket and overlapping certain of said convolutions for anchoring said. convolutions of said strand to said socket, and means including said head for securing the free ends of said strand.

'7. In a broom head, a flexible sheet material socket, a strand progressively wound about said socket from one end and providing convolutions forming internal' threads in said socket, the other end of said socket having a bent back tongue o-verlying said convolutions, and said strand having a return portion wound about said tongue to press it against said convolutions and socket whereby to anchor said convolutions to the socket.

8. In a broom head, a flexible sheet material socket, a strand progressively wound about said socket from one end and providing convolutions forming internal threads in said socket, the other end of said socket having a bent back tongue overlying said convolutions, said strand having a return portion wound about said tongue to press it against said convolutions and socket whereby to anchor said convo-lutions to the socket, and courses of broom material disposed about said socket and secured thereabout by said strand.

9. The method of making a threaded socketproviding broom head or the like which comprises supporting a split soft metal socket on a spirally grooved support, progressively winding wire upon said socket from one end towards the other to compress the socket stock into said grooves, whereby to produce threads in the socket, then applying broom corn to said socket slightly short of one end thereof and winding the wire progressively about the broom corn in the direction of the exposed end of socket to provide a snug head about the socket, then winding the remainder of the wire about the projecting exposed end of the socket, whereby to provide a flange, and finally anchoring the terminal of said wire to said head.

10. In a separable head and handle structure L for brooms, mops and the like, including a head providing an interiorally threaded socket, a socket-engageable handle portion diametrically enlarged adjacent its ends as compared to the intermediate portion, a length of heavy wire wound about the socket-engaging portion of the handle to provide thread substantially conforming to and adapted to engage the socket threads, and said handle thread-providing wire being Wound in tight contact with said end enlargements only whereby the intermediate portion of the threadproviding wire of said handle will tend to lie away from the intermediate handle portion and provide a shiftable thread to conform to the socket threads even if the socket is distorted.

11. A handle for a socket head broom providing a socket engaging end portion, such end portion having spaced enlargements, and thread-providing wire wound about said socket engaging end portion into tight contact with said enlargements whereby to provide a relatively yielding intermediate wire-provided thread portion for socket engagement.

WALTER. H. ZACHRY. 

